162 MENURA. 



Mountain Pheasant : as to the general manners, very little has come 

 to our knowledge. It is said, that it will frequently imitate the notes 

 of other birds, so as to deceive most people. It will occasionally 

 perch on trees, but for the most part is found on the ground, having 

 the manners of our poultry; as is manifest, from observing the ends 

 of the claws, which in most specimens are much blunted. I do not 

 find that it has yet been attempted, whether it will bear confinement; 

 but if the trial should turn out successful, it would be a fine acqui- 

 sition to our Menageries. In the engraving in Mr. Collins's Work, 

 the bird is figured with the tail excessively erect, as in the Turkey, 

 in which attitude the bird now and then appears; though Mr. Collins 

 does not mention it in his narrative ; in addition to which, I saw it 

 so represented in a painting done on the spot by the late Mr. Lewin : 

 it is likewise so figured in Dr. Shaw's Work. 



